Obit: Rochester, Bruce Arthur #2 (1949 - 2010)

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Rochester, Jorgensen, Fitzmaurice, Hainzlsperger, Gurney, Mallory, Dunlap, Meyer, Dennis, Nimmo, Johnson, Hoge, McGuire, Dobson, Raine, Voigt, Spangler, Attoe, Weiers

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.) August 25, 2010

Rochester, Bruce Arthur #2 (3 October 1949 - 21 August 2010)

Bruce Rochester, 60, of Neillsville passed away unexpectedly, Saturday, Aug. 21, 2010, in the Emergency room of the Memorial Medical Center in Neillsville. 

Bruce Arthur Rochester was born Oct. 3, 1949, in Tomah, the son of Arthur and Mae (Jorgensen) Rochester.  He received his education in Alma Center.  He was united in marriage to Mary Fitzmaurice April 28, 1969 in Alma Center.  Bruce started working at Nelson Muffler in 1972 and was currently employed at Cummins Filtration in Neillsville.  He loved to hunt, bowl, snowmobile, golf and a big fan of NASCAR.  He especially loved his eight grandchildren and his cat, Morris.

Bruce will be sadly missed by his wife of 42 years, Mary; his mother, Mae Rochester of Black River Falls; his mother-in-law, Edith Fitzmaurice of Humbird; a son, Ricky (Clarissa) Rochester of Neillsville; and three daughters, Tina (special friend, Lyle Hainzlsperger) Rochester of Neillsville, Erin (Wayne) Gurney of Granton and Amy (Allen) Mallory of Suffolk, VA; eight grandchildren, Arianna and Delaney Rochester, Justin and Austin Dunlap of Neillsville, Vennessa and Kyle Gurney of Granton, and Courtney and Hailey Mallory of Suffolk, VA.  He is further survived by his siblings: Kathy (Ronnie) Meyer of Black River Falls, Kristeen (Dave) Dennis of Big Lake, MN, Shirlie (John) Nimmo of Black River Falls, Gene (Pat) Rochester of La Crosse, Daniel (Bettie) Rochester of Stevensville, AR, and James (Lisa) Rochester of Tomah; and numerous nieces and nephews and cousins along with brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law and many friends who will for sure miss his laugh.

He was preceded in death by his father, Arthur "Rookie" Rochester and his father-in-law, Philip "Rusty" Fitzmaurice.

Funeral services for Bruce will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2010, at the United Church of Christ in Neillsville.  Pastor Joe Weiers will officiate.  Music will be provided by Deon Spangler, organist, and Wendell Attoe, soloist.  Interment will be in the Neillsville City Cemetery.  Visitation was from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville and will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church.

Honorary Casketbearers  are Randy Johnson, Gary Fitzmaurice, Tim Fitzmaurice, Philip Fitzmaurice, Gene Rochester, Danny Rochester, James Rochester, Mark Hoge, Ronnie Meyer and Lyle Hainzlsperger.

Casketbearers are Jared McGuire, Bobby McGuire, Bob Dobson, Christ McGuire, Joel Raine and Tim Voight.

Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.

The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Bruce’s family with funeral arrangements.